Means for printing or decorating articles of ware



July 8, 1958 G. L. MURRAY MEANS. FOR PRINTING OR DECORATING ARTICLES OF WARE Filed Nov. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l a M Q.

INVENTOR.

GU! LESLIE MURRAY BVQM ATTORNEY G. L. MURRAY July s, 1958 MEANS FOR PRINTING 0R DECORATING ARTICLES OF WARE Filed Nov. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN 'rola GU! LESLIE MURRAY 0 BY z ATTORNEY y 1958 G. L. MURRAY 2,842,046

MEANS FOR PRINTING OR DECORATING ARTICLES OF WARE Filed Nov. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 86 as f 52 HL-To4fi a9 a; 7 as +LALF 9o Z INVENTQR GUY LESLIE MURRAY G. L. MURRAY July s, 1958 MEANS FOR PRINTING OR DECORATING ARTICLES OF WARE Filed Nov. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR GUY LESLIE MURRAY m dy kh ATTORNEY llnited Stats MEANS FOR PRINTING OR DECORATING ARTICLES 21F WARE Application November 16, 1955, Serial No. 547,232

Claims priority, application Great Britain November 18, 1954 12 Claims. (Cl. 1ill41) In the specification of U. S. Patent No. 2,748,696 there is described an offset method of printing or decorating articles of ware in which colour is transferred from a plate having the design formed thereon to the article of ware to be printed or decorated by means of a resilient pad which is first pressed against the plate hearing the design so that the pad, owing to its resilient nature, spreads thereover to extract the colour therefrom after which the resilient pad is withdrawn from the plate and is pressed against the article to be printed or decorated so that the resilient pad spreads over the surface of the latter to develop the design thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide an automatic machine for carrying out the aforesaid method in a rapid and efiicient manner.

A further object is to provide an automatic machine comprising carrying means for the resilent pad, support means for a plate having the design formed thereon which is to be printed on the ware to be decorated, and for an article of said ware, means for effecting relative movement between said carrying means and said support means to cause the resilient pad in timed sequence first to be applied to and withdrawn from said plate bearing the design and then to said article, and means for applying paint or ink to said plate whilst carried by said support means and for removing the excess paint or ink therefrom and operating automatically in timed relation to said sequential movement between the carrying means and the support means.

Preferably said carrying means for the resilient pad cause the latter to be reciprocated towards and away from the support means. Translatory movement may be imparted to the support means for said plate bearing the design and the article of ware, said support means moving in timed sequence relative to the reciprocations of said carrying means. Said support means may comprise a table or tables capable of translatory movement relative to said carrying means which preferably comprise a presser head reciprocating along a line normal to the surface of the table or tables.

The aforesaid timed sequential relative movement between the carrying means and the support means may be effected mechanically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically. in those cases where the plate has the design formed in intaglio thereon, the said relative movement of the support means is preferably effected in such manner that, in conjunction with said paint or ink applying means and said excess removing means, it causes paint or ink to be applied to the plate and removes any excess therefrom. Such removal may be effected by means of a doctor arranged adjacent the paint or ink applying means.

The invention thus provides means, in the foregoing case, for effecting the following operations automatically and in timed sequence (1) applying the paint or ink to the plate bearing the design (2) removing the excess ink from the plate bearing the design (3) pressing the resilient atent O "ice pad against the plate to extractor the colour therefrom and effecting separation of the pad and plate and (4) pressing the resilient pad against the article of ware to be decorated in order to print the design thereon and then withdrawing the pad from the article.

It will be understood, however, that if the design is not formed in intaglio on the plate but is deposited thereon in paint or ink, for example by a silk screen process, the sequence of the operations referred to above will be (1) (3) (4) (2), the step of removing the excess paint or ink from the plate being the mere removal of surplus after the pad has extracted sufficient colour therefrom for the decorating requirement.

To enable paints or inks only usable at temperatures above normal atmospheric temperatures to be employed, heating means are preferably incorporated. Such heating means may be arranged to heat one or more of the following: the plate, the article to be decorated, the paint or ink applying means, the excess removing means, and the resilient pad. if desired cooling means for the latter may be provided.

Various forms of automatic machine adapted for printing or decorating articles of ceramic ware and all embodying the same basic arrangement of pad, carrying means, support means, paint or ink applying means and excess removing means will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the arrangement of the above basic components,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the components shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 illustrates a pneumatic circuit incorporated in the machine to effect the necessary timed sequential movement of the various basic components,

Figure 4 is a detail view of an alternative arrangement in which sequential movement of the basic components is effected by mechanical means,

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the basic components shown in Figures 1 and 2 and also show electrical means for controlling the movements of such components,

Figure 7 shOWs the electrical circuit of the arrangement shown in Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a detail view of the various solenoids shown Y in Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, in the machine 10 illustrated therein the basic components are operated by pneumatic means. The machine comprises a substantially rectangular base 11 supported from the undersurface of two parallel horizontal guide rails 12. Suitable feet 13 are provided towards the ends of these latter to support the machine 10. Upstanding from points near edges of the base are four vertical standards or columns 14 which carry a horizontal bridge piece 15 at an adjustable height above the base 11. This bridge piece may be of any suitable plan form, in the example illustrated it is of elongated rectangular shape similar to the base 11, and is mounted on the columns 14 by screw and nut means to enable its height above the base to be adjusted. Preferably, the upper ends of the columns 14 are screw threaded and provided with nuts 16 above and below the bridge piece 15 for height adjustment purposes.

The bridge piece 15 forms a support for a vertically arranged compressed air cylinder 17, the plunger 18, Figure 3, of which has a stem or rod 19 projecting downwardly through an opening in the bridge piece, the stem or rod being provided with means at its lower end to prevent its rotation. In the example illustrated such means comprisea steel plate 20 arranged horizontally below the bridge piece 15 and rigidly attached to the lower end of the stem or rod 19, such plate carrying outwardly and oppositely projecting feet 21 each of which bears on one of the columns 14 and embraces the sides of the latter to prevent rotation of the plate. The plate 20 also carries upwardly projecting screwed rods or spindles 22 which pass freely through apertures formed in the bridge piece and are provided with adjustable nuts 23 above and below the latter to control the working stroke of the plate and plunger 18. The plate also constitutes a carrying means or presser head for the resilient pad 24 which is mounted upon its lower surface.

The guide rails 12 carry support means for the plate 25, shown in broken lines in Figures 1 and 2, bearing the design, which in the machine illustrated is formed in intaglio on the plate, and also support means for the article of ware to be decorated, such support means comprising sliding members or tables 26, 27 which run on the guide rails, one table being arranged to run on the guide rails on one side of the base 11 and the other on the guide rails on the opposite side of the latter to carry the plate and the article respectively. Preferably, the guide rails 12 are formed from material of hexagonal cross-section to provide simple and economical guide means for the tables 26, 27 which are provided with sliding members 26a, 2711 which embrace the guide rails. Such guide means require no preliminary scraping or machining and control sliding movement of the tables 26, 27 in the horizontal plane whilst preventing vertical displacement of the tables.

Inward sliding movement along the guide rails of the table 26 bearing the plate 25 is effected until the latter occupies a position immediately below the resilient pad 24 which is then lowered by its operating cylinder 17 to bring the pad into contact with the surface of the plate and extract colour from the design thereon. After the pad 24 has been raised from the plate 25 by a reverse action of the cylinder 17 the table 26 bearing the plate is slid outwardly along the guide rails 12 and the table 27 bearing the article of ware 28, which is carried by a resilient support 29, is moved into place beneath the pad 24 to enable the ware mounted thereon to be printed by a further lowering and raising movement of the resilient pad. Adjustable stop means, not illustrated, are provided on the base 11 to control accurately the extent to which the tables 26, 27 can be slid inwardly along the guide rails so that the centres of the plate 25 and article 28 move into alignment with the axis of the resilient pad when the respective tables are in their innermost position. Means are also provided to enable such centres and axis to be aligned in a direction transversely of the guide rails.

Translatory or reciprocating movement of the tables 26, 27 is effected by one or more horizontally arranged pneumatic cylinders disposed parallel to the guide rails 12 and which may be supported thereby, the plunger or plungers of these cylinders effecting sliding movement of the tables. An individually controlled cylinder may be provided for each table or, if desired, a centrally arranged cylinder could be secured adjacent the base 11 and linked to the tables 26, 27 in such manner that either individual movement of each table could be effected or, alternatively, so that one table moves towards the base as the other moves away from the latter. In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 both of the tables 26, 27 are moved as a single unit by a horizontally arranged pneumatic cylinder 30 disposed below and parallel to the guide rails 12, the cylinder being supported at each end by lugs 31 attached to the undersurface of the base 11 and a horizontal support plate 32 secured to one end of the guide rails and carrying the foot 13.

The plunger 33, Figure 3, of the table-operating cylinder 30 is secured to one end of a stem or rod 34 which projects from the cylinder and is secured at its opposite 4 movement of the plunger 33 to occupy a station over the support plate 32, the table 27 carrying the article of ware 28 is moved inwardly to occupy a station immediately below the pad 24, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In any case translatory movement of the tables 26, 27 is effected automatically in timed relation to the reciprocating vertical movement of the resilient pad 24 by means hereinafter to be described.

Means are provided for automatically feeding paint or ink to the plate 25 hearing the design and for removing excess therefrom so that the colour is only left lying on the required parts of the design. Such means comprise two members 37 upstanding from the support plate 32, horizontally arranged parallel slotted rails 38 being carried by the upper ends of the upstanding members. Slidably arranged on the slotted rails is a bridge member 39 having a vertically arranged penumatic cylinder 40 mounted centrally thereon, the plunger 41 of this cylinder being mounted on a slidable rod 42 which extends downwardly through an opening in the bridge member towards the plate 25 hearing the design. Upon the lower end of the rod 42 a transversely arranged ink trough 43 is mounted so that admission of pressure air to the upper end of the cylinder 40 causes the ink trough to be lowered on to the plate 25 to deposit a line of paint or ink towards the inner edge thereof, the ink trough being withdrawn upwardly when the pressure in the cylinder is released by means of a compression spring 41a arranged below the plunger 41. Adjustment of the ink trough longitudinally of the plate can be effected by slackening wing nuts 39a which secure the bridge member 39 in position on the slotted rails 38.

The means by which excess of paint or ink is removed from the plate 25 are also automatically operated and comprise a doctor blade 44 which extends radially from a transverse shaft 45 rotatably carried by lugs 46 secured to the upstanding members 37. Rotation of the shaft 45 about its axis to lower the doctor blade 44 into contact with the plate 25 during inward movement of the table 26 towards the base 11 is automatically effected by a vertically arranged pneumatic cylinder 47, pivotally secured at its upper end to one of the columns 14, the plunger 48 of such cylinder carrying a downwardly projecting rod 49 which operates the shaft by means of an arm 50 secured to one end of the latter. It will be appreciated that the inward movement of the table 26 bearing the plate .25 causes the doctor blade 44, which is of greater width than the plate, to spread the line of paint or ink deposited by the ink trough 43 evenly over the surface of the plate and remove the excess paint or ink by a single wiping movement across the surface of the plate.

Control of the pneumatic cylinders 17, 30, 40 and 47 elfecting the vertical movement of the pad 24, translatory movement of the tables 26, 27, and upward and downward movement of the ink trough 43 and doctor blade 44 is effected by air valves inserted in the supply lines to such cylinders to enable the necessary timed sequential movement of the plungers 18, 33, 41 and 48 of the cylinders. Operation of the machine requires that pressure air is fed to the four pneumatic cylinders in the following manner:

(1) With the tables 26, 27 in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, air is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 17 by a pipe connection 51 to lower the pad 24.

(2) Air is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 40 by a pipe connection 52 to lower the ink trough 43 on to the plate 25.

(3) The plungers of the cylinders 17, 40 are maintained in their lowered position for a predetermined period by a time-delay arrangement.

(4) Air is admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 17 through a connection 53 to raise the pad 24. v

(5) The upper end of "the cylinder 40 is vented to atmosphere and the ink trough 43 is raised by the spring 41a.

(6) Air is admitted to the left side of the cylinder 30 through a connection 54 to move the tables 26, 27 towards the right of the machine.

(7) Movement of the table 26 causes a pivoted trigger 55, Figure 3, at the inner end of the table to be turned about its pivot 55a by a roller-bearing lever 56, the latter then operating an air valve 57 which causes pressure air to be fed to the upper end of the cylinder 47 through a connection 58 and thus lower the doctor blade 44.

(3) Further movement of the table 26 towards the right causes a wedge-shaped cam 59 carried by the outer end of the table to engage the lever 56, reverse the movement of the air valve 57 and admit air to the lower end of the cylinder 47 to raise the doctor blade 44 after the surface of the plate has passed below the latter.

(9) Air is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 17 to lower the pad 24 on to the plate 25, which is now stationed beneath the pad.

(10) A time-delay mechanism operates to allow the pad 24 to absorb paint or ink from the plate 25.

(11) Air is admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 17 to raise the pad 24.

(12) Air is admitted to the right hand end of the cylinder to move the tables 26, 27 to the left and bring the article 28 below the pad 24. Owing to the pivoted arrangement of the trigger on the table 26 the air valve 57 is not operated during this return movement of the table, the trigger being turned about its pivot 55a to an inoperative position.

The cycle is repeated, the article 28 being printed during stage (1).

In order to reduce the time necessary to complete the cycle of operation, the timed relation in which the various stages of the above sequence are carried out are arranged as follows so that certain movements of the various parts of the machine overlap each other:

The pneumatic circuit by which the above sequential movement is controlled is shown schematically in Figure 3, the components of this circuit to which reference has not already been made being as follows:

6ll-Manually operated press-button two-port valve.

61-Pressure bleed-operated five port valve of known type.

62-Adjustable pressure-operated two port valve.

63-Flow regulator.

64"Plunger-operated three port valve.

(SS-Roller-operated two port valve.

66Ca-m pivotally mounted on the plate 20.

67-Roller of valve 65 which is operated by the cam 66 only during upward movement of the plate 20.

6S-Plunger-operated three port valve.

69Roller-operated two port valve.

7 )Cam mounted on the link 36.

71Roller of valve 69 which is operated by the cam 70 during translatory movement of the tables 26, 27.

72-Pressure-operated five port valve.

7 3-Pressure bleed-operated five port valve.

74-Plunger-operated three port valve.

In the figure the main air circuits are shown in full lines and the control air circuits in chain-dot lines. Main air inlets to the various valves are indicated by the reference numeral 75 and exhausts from the valves to atmosphere at 76.

Stages (1) to (12) of the previously-described cycle are performed in response to operation of the components shown in Figure 3 in the following manner:

'(1) Valve is manually operated by the press-button 77 and pressure air control circuit 78 moves a piston in valve 61 so that thecircuit through this valve is as shown in broken lines and pressure air from 75 is admitted above the plunger 18 of the cylinder 17 whilst the lower end of the latter is exhausted to atmosphere through exhaust 76. In consequence, the plate 20 and pad 24 are lowered.

'(2) The plate 20 operates the plunger 79 of the valve 64 on completion of the downward stroke of the plate. Air is admitted to the upper end of cylinder 41 to lower the ink trough 43.

(3) Air pressure builds up slowly through the flow regulator 63 from the connection 51 until the valve 62 trips.

(4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9) Valve 62 returns the valve 61 to its original position, shown in full lines, and air is admitted below the plunger 18 to raise the pad 2 The plunger 79 is released and the cylinder 40 vented to atmosphere, thus raising the ink trough 43. As the plate 20 rises the trigger 66 operates the valve 65, this latter operates the valves 73 and 72 to admit air through the connection 54 to left side of cylinder 30 and move tables 26, 27 towards the right. During movement of the tables the cylinder 47 moves the doctor blade 44* as already described. Further movement of the tables 26, 27 operates valve 69 through the cam 70 and this valve reverses the position of valve 61 through control circuit 78 to move the pad 24 downwardly. Valve 65 is not afiected by downward movement of the pad owing to the hinged arrangement of cam 66. When the table 27 has reached the end of its travel, as shown at 27a, the arm 35 moves the plunger 86 of valve 68 and pressure air through control circuit 81 passes to control piston of valve 73.

(10) Time delay as pressure in valves 62 and 73 builds up.

(11) (1.2) Valve 62 trips and reversesposition of valve 61 to raise the pad 24. Valve 73 operates after time delay to move valve 72 and admit air to right end of cylinder 30 through connection 82. The tables 26, 27 move towards the left, valve 69 is operated by the cam 70 and air in the control circuit '78 moves valve 61 to admit air to the upper end of cylinder 71 and thus repeat the cycle. At the conclusion of its movement to the left the table 26 makes contact with the plunger 74a of the valve 74 and the latter admits pressure air to control circuit 81a to effect movement of the valves 73 and 72 to move the tables once more towards the right after a time delay whilst the pressure in valve 73 builds up. Printing of the article is effected during stage (1).

In order to stop the cycle of operation means may be provided, for example a manually operated valve, to isolate valve 69 from the remainder of the control circuit. Suitable provision is also made by means of speed regulators, pressure reducing valves and the like, not illustrated, for adjusting thespeed at which the various parts of the machine operate and the dwell between each movement of such parts. lnward'movement of the table 26 carrying the plate 25 towards the pad 24 is eifected by the cylinder 36 at a speed controlled to suit the viscosity of the paint or ink deposited on the plate by the ink trough 43 and spread thereover by the doctor blade. 44. The pad 24 may remain in contact with the design on the plate 25 for a controlled period, as already described, or may be rapidly withdrawn from contact with the plate. Similarly, when the resilient pad 24 is brought into contact with the article 28, it may either be rapidly withdrawn from the article or allowed to dwell in contact therewith for a controlled period to enable thepad to force the colour into the article under pressure.

After return of the tables 26, 27 to their original stations the cycle of operations is repeated in timed sequence as often as required. In addition, provision may be made for automatically loading and unloading the articles to be decorated onto and from the ware-supporting table 27.

In the alternative arrangement shown in Figure 4, timed sequential movement of the aforesaid basic components is effected by mechanical means. Three valves 61a, 72a, and 64a, substantially similar to the valves 61,

72, 64 already described, are provided to control admission of pressure air to the cylinders 17, 30 and 40. These three valves 61a, 72a, 64a are placed substantially in line with each other in any convenient place adjacent to or on the machine and are mechanically operated by means of earns 83 or the like, carried by a revolving shaft 84, which open and shut the valves by means of tappets 85 in controlled and timed sequence. A pulley 86 on the shaft 84 is driven by a motor, not illustrated, the speed of which is preferably variable or, alternatively, the shaft may be driven by a constant speed motor or other prime mover working in conjunction with a variable speed gearbox. In this arrangement, in order to operate the machine, it is only necessary to start the prime mover thereby revolving the shaft 84 carrying the earns 83 which operate the valves 61a, 72a, 64a, each cam controlling the movement of one of the valves.

Figures to 8 illustrate an arrangement in which electrical means are incorporated for effecting movement of the basic components. The positions on the machine of various plunger-operated switches controlling the valves 61, 72, and 64 is shown diagrammatically in Figures 5 and 6, the electrical circuit is schematically illustrated in Figure 7, and Figure 8 shows the three valves and the solenoids by which they are operated. The various components of the circuit are as follows:

87Current supply lead.

88Current supply lead.

89Current supply control switch.

90Plunger-operated switch.

91-Time delay switch of known type which breaks the circuit through the switch after current has passed for a pre-determined period of time.

92-Solenoid operating pneumatic control valve 61 in one direction to admit pressure air to upper end of the cylinder 17. Valve is spring-loaded to return to its original position when the flow of current ceases to admit air to lower end of the cylinder.

93Plunger-operated switch making contact when the plate 20 and pad 21 are lowered.

94Plunger-operated switch.

951Solenoid operating pneumatic control valve 64 to admit pressure air to upper end of the cylinder 40 and lower the ink trough 43. Control valve 64 is spring returned.

96Plunger-operated switch of known type which is moved from position shown in full lines to position shown in broken lines when plunger is pressed, the switch remaining in this position until the plunger is again pressed when the switch returns to its original position.

97--Solenoid operating pneumatic control valve 72 to admit air to right side of the cylinder 30 and move the tables 26, 27 towards left.

- 98-Plunger-operated switch.

99Solenoid operating pneumatic control valve 72 in opposite direction to admit air to left side of the cylinder 30 and move tables towards right.

Stages l) to 12) of the printing process are performed by the automatic operation of the above components in the following manner:

1) Switch 89 is closed to supply electric current to the control circuit through leads 87, 88. Current flows through switch 96 and solenoid 99 to maintain the tables 26, 27 towards left. Current also fiows through switches 90 and 91 tooperate solenoid 92 and admit air to the upper end of the cylinder 17 to lower the plate 20 and pad 24.

(2) At the end of its down stroke the plate 20 closes switch 93 and current flows through the latter and switch 94 to operate solenoid 95 and admit air to upper end of the cylinder 40 and lower the ink trough 43.

(3) Time delay until switch 91 automatically opens.

(4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9) Owing to opening of switch 91 flow of current through solenoid 92 ceases and control valve 61 reverses its position. Pressure air is consequently admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 17 and the plate 20 rises. This opens switch 93 and the ink trough 43 is raised by the spring 44. At the end of its upward stroke the plate 20 operates switch 96 to cause current to flow through solenoid 97 and reverse position of the control valve 72, admitting air to left end of the cylinder 30 and causing the tables 26, 27 to move towards right. Switches 90, 94 are opened when the table 26 moves away from their plungers. Stages (7) and (8) occur automatically in the manner previously described. As the table 27 reaches the end of its movement the plunger of switch 98 is operated and current flows through the latter and switch 91 to operate solenoid 92 and thus cause the plate 20 to be lowered. Switch 93 is closed by the lowered plate 20 but the ink trough 43 is not lowered as switch 94 is open.

(10) Time delay until switch 91 automatically opens.

(11) (12). Current ceases to flow through solenoid 92 and the plate 20 is raised. At the end of its upward stroke, the plate operates switch 96 to cause current to cease flowing through solenoid 97 and to flow through solenoid 99. Air is admitted to right end of the cylinder 30 and the tables 26, 27 move towards left. Switch 98 is opened and at the conclusion of movement of the tables 26, 27 switch 90 is closed to cause the cycle of operations to be repeated.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic machine for decorating articles of ware comprising in combination carrying means for a resilient pad, a plate having the design formed thereon which is to be printed on the ware to be decorated, support means for said plate and for an article of said ware, a cylinder and plunger operated by fluid pressure which reciprocate said carrying means towards and away from said support means, a further cylinder and plunger operated by fluid pressure to impart translatory movement to said support means in a direction normal to the reciprocating movement of the carrying means, valve means for controlling admission of fluid to the respective cylinders, means interconnecting said controlling valve means so that timed sequential movement of the carrying means and the support means is effected to cause the resilient pad first to be applied to and then withdrawn from said plate bearing the design and then to said articles, means for applying paint to said plate whilst carried by said support means, a doctor disposed between the paintapplying means and the carrying means, and means for moving said doctor into contact with said plate to remove excess paint therefrom during movement of the support means in one direction only and for removing the doctor from contact with the plate during movement of the support means in the opposite direction, said means by which the doctor is moved operating automatically in timed relation to said sequential movement between the carrying means and the support means.

2. An automatic machine for decorating articles of ware comprising in combination carrying means for a resilient pad, a plate having formed in intaglio thereon the design to be printed on the ware to be decorated, support means for said plate and for an article of said ware, means for reciprocating said carrying means towards and away from said support means and for imparting translatory movement to said support means in a direction normal to the reciprocating movement of said carrying means to cause the resilient pad in timed sequence first to be applied to and withdrawn from said plate bearing the design and then to said article, means for applying paint to said plate, means for moving said paintapplying means in a direction normal to said translatory movement of the support means to bring the paint-applying means into contact with the plate to deposit paint thereon after which the paint-applying means are withdrawn to their original position, a doctor disposed between the paint-applying means and the carrying means for spreading the paint deposited on said plate evenly over the surface thereof and for removing the excess paint, means for moving said doctor in one direction normal to said translatory movement of the support means to bring it into contact with the surface of the plate during translatory movement of the support means towards the carrying means and for moving the doctor in the opposite direction to prevent it making contact with the surface of the plate during return translatory movement of the support means, and means which automatically control movement of said means for moving the paint-applying means and the doctor in timed relation to said sequential movement between the carrying means and the support means.

3. An automatic machine for decorating articles of ware comprising in combination carrying means for a resilient pad, a plate having formed in intaglio thereon the design to be printed on the ware to be decorated, support means for said plate and for an article of said ware, a cylinder and plunger operated by fluid pressure which reciprocate said carrying means towards and away from said support means, a further cylinder and plunger operated by fluid pressure to impart translatory movement to said support means in a direction normal to the reciprocating movement of the carrying means, valve means for controlling admission of fluid to the respective cylinders, means interconnecting said controlling valve means so that timed sequential movement of the carrying means and the support means is effected to cause the resilient pad first to be applied to and then withdrawn from said plate bearing the design and then to said article, means for moving said paint-applying means in a direction normal to said translatory movement of the support means to bring the paint-applying means into contact with said plate to deposit paint thereon after which the paint-applying means are withdrawn to their original position, a doctor disposed between the paint-applying means and the carrying means for spreading the paint deposited on said plate evenly over the surface thereof and for removing the excess paint, means for moving said doctor in one direction normal to said translatory movement of the support means to bring it into contact with the surface of the plate during translatory movement of the support means towards the carrying means and for moving the doctor in the opposite direction to prevent it making contact with the surface of the plate during return translatory movement of the support means, and means which automatically control movement of said means for moving the paint-applying means and the doctor in timed relation to said sequential movement between the carrying means and the support means.

4. An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein said means for moving the paint-applying means and the doctor comprise fluid-operated cylinders and plungers and said control means therefor comprise further valve means interconnected with said valve means.

5. An automatic machine according to claim 3, Where in means are provided which are operated by movement of the carrying means away from said support means to etfect movement of the valve means controlling the supi 10 ply of fluid pressure to said further cylinder to transfer pressure from one side of the plunger of said further cylinder to the other and thus effect sequential translatory movement of the support means, said means being inoperative during movement of the carrying means in the opposite direction.

6. An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein said means by which the controlling valve means are interconnected comprise a fluid pressure circuit and said valve means controlling admission of pressure fluid to said further cylinder comprise a valve providing a timedelay, control of said valve being effected by a valve operated only by movement of the carrying means away from said support means and by two further valves one of which is operated each time the support means reaches the limit of its translatory movement.

7. An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein said means interconnecting said controlling valve means comprise an electrical circuit including switch means operated by movement of said carrying means and said support means.

8. An automatic machine accordingto claim 3, wherein said means interconnecting said controlling valve means comprise an electrical circuit including switch means operated by movement of said carrying means in one direction only, said switch means operating alternately to cause said support means to move first in one direction and then, on further operation of the switch means, in the opposite direction.

9. An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein said carrying means reciprocate in a vertical direction and are arranged above the support means which move in a horizontal direction, said means for moving the paint-applying means comprising a fluid operated cylinder and plunger and a valve controlling these latter and operated by downward movement of the carrying means.

10. An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein said means which move the doctor comprise a spring-loaded fluid-operated cylinder and plunger and a control valve therefor and said means which automatically control the cylinder and plunger comprise a pivoted trigger on the support means which is moved about its pivot to an operative position in which it opens the control valve during movement of the support means towards the carrying means in order to move the doctor towards the support means, said trigger being moved about its pivot during movement of the support means in the opposite direction to an inoperative position.

11. An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein said means interconnecting said controlling valve means are mechanical and comprise a shaft having cams which operate the controlling valve means, and means for rotating said shaft.

12. An automatic machine according to claim 3, and further comprising .a resilient pad having a curved operative surface which is pressed in turn. against said plate and said article with a straight-line movement of the pad which follows one and the same line of action both when the pad is pressed against the plate and when the pad is pressed against the article.

OHara Sept. 14, 1926 Emerson Jan. 10, 1950 

